Category: 3. Business

  • Trump Westinghouse investment could lead to IPO with U.S. as shareholder

    Trump Westinghouse investment could lead to IPO with U.S. as shareholder

    The Vogtle nuclear power plant is located in Burke County, near Waynesboro, Georgia in USA. Each of the two existing units have a Westinghouse pressurized water reactor (PWR), with a General Electric turbine and electric generator, producing approximately 2,400 MW of electricity. Two Westinghouse made AP 1000 reactors are under construction here.

    Pallava Bagla | Corbis News | Getty Images

    The Trump administration’s plan to spend tens of billions of dollars on Westinghouse nuclear plants could transform it into an independent, publicly traded company with the U.S. government as a major shareholder.

    The Commerce Department signed a deal last week with Westinghouse owners Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management to spend $80 billion to build the company’s nuclear plants across the U.S.

    Under the deal, the U.S. government is granted a participation interest in Westinghouse and can require an initial public offering on or before January 2029 if the company’s value surges to $30 billion or more.

    The government could become an 8% shareholder in Westinghouse under this scenario, said Cameco Chief Operating Officer Grant Isaac on the company’s third-quarter earnings call Wednesday. It is not entitled to a stake in Cameco or Brookfield under the deal, Isaac said.

    Cameco would consider spinning out Westinghouse as an independent company in 2029 depending on the circumstances, the executive said.

    “There is definitely a unique interest in investing just in Westinghouse,” Isaac said. “Cameco is a funny proxy for that. Brookfield’s probably an even funnier proxy to invest in just Westinghouse.”

    Cameco is one of the largest uranium miners in the world and Brookfield is one of the biggest investors in energy generation.

    “We’re going to keep all options on the table,” Isaac said. “This partnership agreement does not force us to leave Westinghouse in 2029. We don’t have to sell any of our share — or we may if the value of Westinghouse is so significant come 2029 when that window opens up.”

    U.S. government financing

    The government’s interest in Westinghouse vests only if it makes a final investment decision with definitive agreements to build new reactors in the U.S. with a total value of $80 billion.

    The U.S. could use tools like Department of Energy loans or financing from “other jurisdictions” to finance the projects among other options, Isaac said.

    “We’re assured that there is a lot of interest in investing this minimum $80 billion in order to begin the process,” the executive said.

    Westinghouse has designed a big modern nuclear reactor called the AP1000 that the Trump administration wants to deploy across the U.S. to meet rising electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing. It generates a gigawatt of electricity, which is enough power for more than 750,000 homes.

    President Donald Trump signed an executive order in May that called for the U.S. to start construction on 10 large new nuclear reactors by 2030. Westinghouse CEO Dan Sumner said in July that the company would meet Trump’s call with the AP1000.

    But Westinghouse has struggled in the past to deliver the AP1000 on time and on budget. It went bankrupt in 2017 from cost overruns at big nuclear projects in Georgia and South Carolina.

    The first two AP1000 reactors in the U.S. came online at Plant Vogtle in Georgia in 2023 and 2024 but the South Carolina project was canceled.

    Westinghouse was bought by Brookfield and Cameco in 2023, five years after it emerged from bankruptcy. Brookfield has a 51% stake in Westinghouse and Cameco owns 49% of it.

    The nuclear industry needs a big order of reactors to stimulate the market and supply chains, Isaac said. The U.S. government is serving that role, the executive said.

    “What the U.S. government has done is committed to step in and be that stimulant if you will, their commitment is to facilitate the financing,” he said.

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  • People in Middle-Income Countries Say Climate Change Is Affecting Their Community

    People in Middle-Income Countries Say Climate Change Is Affecting Their Community

    Children play at a reservoir run dry due to drought in Kuta Cot Glie, Indonesia, on Jan. 24, 2024. (Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP via Getty Images)
    How we did this

    This Pew Research Center analysis focuses on public opinion of climate change and its effects in nine middle-income countries. Opinions surrounding climate change are examined in the context of long-term trend data.

    A map showing Countries included in this report

    This analysis draws on nationally representative surveys of 12,375 adults conducted from Jan. 8 to April 21, 2025. Surveys were conducted face-to-face in Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa and Turkey.

    For the purpose of comparing educational groups across countries, we standardize education levels based on the United Nations’ International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). The lower education category is lower secondary education or below and the higher category is upper secondary or above in middle-income countries (as defined by the World Bank).

    Here are the questions used for this analysis, along with responses, and the survey methodology.

    A bar chart showing that Most people in 9 middle-income countries say climate change is affecting the area where they live

    A new survey of nine middle-income nations finds widespread concerns about climate change. Large majorities in these countries say global climate change is affecting the area where they live. In the three Latin American nations polled, around half of adults or more say it is affecting their community
    a great deal.

    What is a median?

    In this analysis, median scores are used to help readers see overall patterns in the data. The median percentage is the middle number in a list of all percentages sorted from highest to lowest.

    Most people in these countries also say they are willing to make at least some adjustments to the way they live and work to reduce the effects of climate change. And most have at least some confidence in the international community to address this issue.

    Impact of climate change

    A median of 56% of adults across nine middle-income countries say they are very concerned that global climate change will harm them personally in their lifetime. About six-in-ten or more hold this view in Argentina, Indonesia, Kenya and South Africa, compared with about a third in Turkey.

    A bar chart showing that Many in middle-income countries are concerned climate change will harm them personally
    A bar chart showing that Droughts and water shortages are a top climate concern

    While many continue to express concern that climate change will harm them personally, the share saying this has decreased since 2015 in Argentina, Brazil, India, Mexico and Nigeria. Concern is up, on the other hand, in Indonesia (+18 percentage points), South Africa (+13) and Turkey (+7). Opinion is largely unchanged in Kenya.

    When asked which of four possible effects of climate change concerns them most, respondents named droughts or waters shortages more than twice as often as any other option. Fewer say long periods of unusually hot weather, floods or intense storms, or rising sea levels concern them most.

    Since 2015, the share pointing to droughts as their biggest concern is up in Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey.

    Why these countries?

    We surveyed 25 countries in spring 2025, including 16 high-income countries and nine middle-income countries as classified by the World Bank. The nine middle-income countries included in this report are Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa and Turkey. Surveys in these countries were conducted face-to-face, a mode that gives us more time with respondents to explore topics we might not otherwise be able to. By comparison, respondents in high-income countries were surveyed over the phone or online. For more on our survey methods, read the country-specific methodologies.

    Dealing with climate change

    A bar chart showing that Majorities are willing to make lifestyle changes to help reduce the effects of climate change

    Most people across the middle-income countries surveyed – a median of 80% – are willing to make at least some changes to how they live and work to help reduce the effects of climate change. A median of 18% say they would be willing to make only a few or no changes at all. The shares saying they would make a lot of changes range from 17% in Turkey to 53% in Kenya.

    And most – a median of 62% – express confidence in the international community’s ability to significantly reduce the effects of climate change. Seven-in-ten adults or more in India, Indonesia and Kenya have at least some confidence that the actions of the international community will reduce effects of climate change. But around half or fewer agree in Argentina, Mexico and Turkey.

    A set of bar charts showing that People in middle-income countries are confident that the international community can reduce the effects of climate change and most say a country’s carbon emissions should influence how much it does to address the issue

    One major international actor is the United Nations, which has been targeting environmental issues since the 1970s. In six of the nine middle-income countries surveyed, people with a favorable view of the UN are more likely than those with an unfavorable view to have confidence in actions taken by the international community.

    Related: United Nations seen favorably by many across 25 countries

    We also asked people which factor should matter more in deciding a country’s responsibility to address climate change: its wealth or its carbon emissions. A 59% median say carbon emissions are the more important consideration. On balance, this is the most common view in every country except Turkey, where opinion is divided.

    Young adults more willing to make lifestyle changes to reduce climate change

    Age is a factor in views of the impact of climate change and how to handle it. Across most of the nine middle-income countries, younger people (ages 18 to 34) are more likely than older people (ages 50 and older) to say they would be willing to make some or a lot of changes to the way they live and work to help reduce the effects of climate change.

    A dot plot showing that Younger adults especially willing to make changes to their lives to curb effects of climate change

    Young adults in India, Indonesia, Turkey and Mexico are also more likely than older people to be concerned that climate change will harm them in their lifetime.

    (In India, older adults were less likely to provide a response on both questions.)

    In five countries, younger people are more likely than older people to say the amount a country contributes to carbon emissions should matter more than how wealthy a country is in deciding what to do to address climate change, though older adults in these countries are less likely to provide an answer.

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  • Ford CEO Jim Farley strikes a cautious tone on Apple’s new CarPlay Ultra and its increasing control over cars: ‘Do you want the Apple brand to start the car?’

    Ford CEO Jim Farley strikes a cautious tone on Apple’s new CarPlay Ultra and its increasing control over cars: ‘Do you want the Apple brand to start the car?’

    Automakers are in revolt over Apple CarPlay, and some, like Ford CEO Jim Farley, are questioning how much control the tech company should have over a car’s systems.

    At the center of the conflict between Big Tech and Big Auto is CarPlay Ultra, the newest version of the popular CarPlay system that can mirror a user’s iPhone interface on a screen within a vehicle. Announced earlier this year, CarPlay Ultra is going a step further by also displaying car functions like fuel level and speed. It also lets drivers control the air conditioning, radio, and driving modes, all from the same screen. Aston Martin is the only automaker that has fully integrated CarPlay Ultra into its vehicles.

    While Ford is committed to Apple, CEO Farley said “We don’t like the execution of Ultra in round one.” 

    “I’ve talked to Tim [Cook] many times about this. Ford does not have the right, in our opinion, to disrupt someone’s digital life when they get in their car,” Farley told The Verge in an interview.

    Farley later said Apple needs to make a decision on how much it wants to encroach into a vehicle’s systems. Giving an outside company power over a car’s mechanics could be a slippery slope, he added.

    “How far do you want the Apple brand to go? Do you want the Apple brand to start the car? Do you want the Apple brand to limit the speed? Do you want the Apple brand to limit access?” asked Farley.

    The conflict over Apple CarPlay heated up earlier this year when GM CEO Mary Barra said the company’s future vehicles would no longer support Apple CarPlay or its Google counterpart, Android Auto. The company first began phasing out compatibility for both systems in its EVs in 2023. 

    Since the release of CarPlay Ultra, other automakers, including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Volvo, and Renault, currently have no plans to integrate the new system into their cars, the Financial Times reported, despite Apple touting them as committed in a 2022 WWDC announcement. 

    Carmakers are in a tough spot as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are considered must-haves for many new car buyers, according to preliminary data from research firm AutoPacific. A McKinsey report from 2023 found that 85% of car owners who had CarPlay or a similar system preferred it over the carmaker’s operating system.

    Still, the data hasn’t yet persuaded carmakers enough to give up control of the dash. Mercedes introduced its own Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS) that combines infotainment and car functions. Other car companies like Toyota and Volvo are also developing their own systems, according to the Daily Mail.

    Whatever Ford ultimately decides on CarPlay Ultra, it is clear to Farley that a car’s digital experience is quickly becoming one of its most important specs.

    “The difference between car companies where you have a software-defined vehicle is not going to be what your sheet metal looks like. It won’t be how powerful your EV motor is. That’s all math. All the cars look nice. It’s going to be this digital experience that says why someone buys this or that,” he said.

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  • Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH)

    Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH)

    – Starting Today, the Popular Free at Sea™ Package is Back and Better Than Ever Delivering Additional Perks to More Guests –

    – The Black Friday Sale is Applicable Across All Itineraries and Ships, Including the All-New Norwegian Aqua and Soon-to-Debut Norwegian Luna

    MIAMI, Nov. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced its highly anticipated best sale of the year for Black Friday, offering 50% off all cruises plus the guest-favorite Free at Sea™ package, back by popular demand.

    Beginning today, Nov. 5, the limited-time Black Friday sale applies to all Norwegian itineraries and ships, including the all-new Norwegian Aqua™ and the soon-to-debut Norwegian Luna™. Sailing to nearly 350 destinations around the world, guests can take advantage of this offer to book their next bucket-list trip to Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, the Bahamas—including NCL’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay—and more.

    “With 50% off all cruises, now is the best time to plan your 2026 family vacation,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Norwegian’s curated itineraries and shipboard experiences allow our guests to effortlessly reconnect with those who matter all while maximizing value to make the most of every moment.”

    Building on Norwegian’s legacy of freedom and flexibility, NCL is bringing back one of its most popular promotions – Free at Sea™. The package, available for all sailings beginning today, offers guest-favorite amenities valuing over $2,000 in savings, including the most valuable beverage package at sea, Wi-Fi, dining experiences and shore excursion credits. Free at Sea™ is the most convenient way to sail and now, the package has been simplified to provide a more effortless and consistent offer to more guests.

    For a standard seven-night sailing, the enhanced Free at Sea™ package includes: unlimited open bar including premium spirits, 20% off all bottles of champagne or wine, 150 minutes of high-speed internet, discounts off upgrades to the unlimited Wi-Fi package, three multi-course specialty dining meals for the first and second guest on the reservation and a $50 credit off each shore excursion for the first guest on the reservation. This improved Free at Sea™ package is tailored to deliver more value to a greater percentage of guests as an expanded number of them will receive additional Wi-Fi minutes, enjoy added savings on the unlimited beverage package, and more dining credits. Guests are only responsible for covering gratuities, making it an incredible value that far exceeds land-based offerings. On over 650 select NCL sailings, kids can also sail free, and with free airfare for the second guest, Free at Sea™ makes it easier than ever for families to travel together.

    Offering something for everyone, Norwegian redefines family travel with an array of industry-exclusive experiences and exceptional value, making it a premiere choice for multi-generational cruising. Guests of all ages can enjoy a thoughtfully curated selection of onboard activities designed to appeal to every generation. From thrilling attractions like the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster waterslide and the only racetracks at sea, to tranquil afternoons at the award-winning Mandara Spa – recognized by Cruise Critic as the “Best Spa at Sea” – NCL offers something for every type of traveler. Norwegian’s world-class dining caters to a range of tastes, featuring a variety of culinary options including premium steakhouses, French bistros, hibachi-style venues, authentic Italian cuisine and more. Whether seeking adventure or relaxation, families will find that cruising with NCL delivers unforgettable moments at sea with the people who matter most. With Black Friday deals available now, it is the perfect time for families to start planning their 2026 summer vacations.

    Island Hopping Through the Caribbean & Bahamas

    In 2026, NCL will offer an expansive lineup of 18 ships sailing the Caribbean and Bahamas, including the all-new Norwegian Luna™. Debuting in Spring 2026, NCL’s newest ship will feature many of the same renowned offerings of sister ship Norwegian Aqua including the Aqua Slidecoaster. With fun-in-the-sun itineraries ranging from convenient three-day getaways to 10-day voyages, guests have the flexibility to create their dream cruise vacation.

    Guests can sail the Caribbean from nine convenient homeports including Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, and Tampa, Fla.; Galveston, Texas; New Orleans; New York City; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. These sailings feature calls to some of the region’s most beautiful islands, such as St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; George Town, Grand Cayman, and more across the Eastern Caribbean. Western Caribbean highlights include Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Harvest Caye, NCL’s resort destination in Belize.

    Many of Norwegian’s Caribbean and Bahamas voyages include a visit to the Brand’s exclusive private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay. The island is being enhanced to provide guests with more exciting experiences to “escape to the great life.” Opening later this year, guests will be able to enjoy a new 1.4-acre pool area complete with swim-up bars and a dedicated kids splash zone, as well as an all-new Vibe Shore Club, the adults-only area featuring a chic ambiance and plenty of loungers and umbrellas. And, beginning Summer 2026, guests will be among the first to experience the debut of the Great Tides Waterpark featuring 19 thrilling water slides, cliff jumps and a dynamic river. 

    Majestic Sailings Across the Alaska Coastline

    For travelers seeking to unplug and reconnect with the great outdoors, Norwegian’s Alaska sailings offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Cruising remains the most immersive way to explore the region, granting access to remote corners of Alaska’s natural beauty, such as Glacier Bay National Park, which is not accessible by road.

    Next summer, NCL will sail three of the Company’s largest ships– Norwegian Encore®, Norwegian Joy® and the recently renovated Norwegian Bliss® in the region. Guests can choose from week-long, nine-day and 10-day sailings departing conveniently from Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska.

    For an extended trip along the scenic Alaska coastline, Norwegian Joy will sail nine and 10- day voyages from Seattle, with visits to Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point, Alaska and more. For travelers craving a truly unique experience of two sought-after destinations, Norwegian Spirit® will sail 16-day Fire and Ice voyages between Honolulu and Vancouver, British Columbia with visits across Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands from mid-July through mid-September 2026.

    Immersive Experiences Throughout Europe’s Top Destinations

    Norwegian sails from many of Europe’s most iconic cities including Barcelona; Lisbon, Portugal; Rome; Athens; Copenhagen, Denmark and others. In 2026, Norwegian will have nine ships sailing across the Mediterranean, Greek Isles and North Europe regions, including Norwegian Viva®, one of the newest NCL ships.

    These immersive European itineraries allow guests to explore multiple countries in a single voyage, with minimal sea days and extended port stays – often featuring over 10 hours in port – giving families the opportunity to be present, connect, and create lasting memories in culturally rich destinations.

    For the latest holiday deals available through the end of the year, guests are encouraged to visit NCL.com.

    For more information about the Company’s award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visitwww.ncl.com.


    About Norwegian Cruise Line

    As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line® has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 59 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, the company continues to deliver curated, effortless experiences that cater to every type of traveler – from seasoned cruisers to families of every size. With award-winning entertainment, globally inspired dining and thoughtfully designed accommodations, including solo staterooms, Club Balcony Suites, and The Haven by Norwegian®, the brand’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept, NCL ensures every guest enjoys a seamless and personalized journey. To further deliver guests with more value, the Company’s signature Free at Sea™ package provides added benefits and inclusions such as unlimited open bar; specialty dining credits; high-speed Wi-Fi; shore excursions credits; and with select sailings guests can enjoy free airfareas well as third and fourth guests sail free. Its fleet of 20 contemporary ships sail to nearly 350 of the world’s most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian.

    Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

    Norwegian Cruise Line

    Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norwegian-cruise-line-announces-biggest-sale-of-the-year-for-black-friday-50-off-all-cruises-plus-the-return-of-the-guest-favorite-free-at-sea-package-302605966.html

    SOURCE Norwegian Cruise Line

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  • Death of beloved neighborhood cat sparks outrage against robotaxis in San Francisco | San Francisco

    Death of beloved neighborhood cat sparks outrage against robotaxis in San Francisco | San Francisco

    The death of beloved neighborhood cat named KitKat, which was struck and killed by a Waymo in San Francisco’s Mission District last week, is sparking uproar in the city and across the internet. Now local politicians and community leaders are harnessing momentum to put new limits on the fast-spreading autonomous vehicle industry.

    KitKat was a regular fixture at the deli and liquor store Randa’s Market, and was well known in the neighborhood and on social media. In a recent podcast interview, Daniel Zeidan, part of the family that owns Randa’s, described KitKat as unequivocally adored.

    “The nickname that they had for him was the mayor of 16th Street,” Zeidan said. “He would walk down there, stare up at the employees and wait for them to throw chicken at him … He really ran the block.”

    But on 27 October, KitKat was struck by a Waymo autonomous vehicle, which in recent years has become a ubiquitous sight around the city. Waymo confirmed the death in a statement to the Guardian. “While our vehicle was stopped to pick up passengers, a nearby cat darted under our vehicle as it was pulling away,” a company spokesperson said.

    Tributes have poured in across social media for KitKat, who could often be found curled up behind the counter at Randa’s, or strolling into the nearby Dalva bar to receive a royal reception. A shrine has popped up outside of Randa’s, replete with photos of KitKat, bouquets of flowers and well-wishes.

    Local legislators are using the incident to call for limits on the industry’s growth. Jackie Fielder, a San Francisco city supervisor, said she plans to introduce legislation that would allow counties to decide whether they will permit the operation of autonomous vehicles, and is calling upon the California legislature to consider doing the same. Fielder said the bill will be similar to a 2024 effort in the California legislature.

    “We are absolutely coming for your bottom dollar,” Fielder said of Waymo in a Tuesday press conference held outside of Randa’s Market. Speakers included local politicians, union leaders and transit advocates, who touched on fears of job replacement via AI and the loss of local political control against tech companies.

    Justin Dolezal, a local bar owner and head of a small business coalition, also spoke about KitKat’s role in the community, and in favor of the resolution.

    “The mayor of this space was taken by technology that none of us asked for, and crucially to this resolution, none of us consented to,” Dozel said.

    KitKat’s death is the latest swell in waves of anti-AI sentiment and concerns over autonomous vehicles, although others point to data showing a firm safety record. While Waymo says it operates around 1,500 cars across the US, exact numbers for San Francisco’s fleet are unclear. Protestors and activists have taken to disabling Waymos by placing traffic cones on their hoods or even setting them on fire. Cruise, another autonomous taxi company, agreed last year to shell out more than $8m in 2024 to a Bay Area woman who was dragged over 20ft of pavement by an autonomous vehicle. Questions have also arisen over how to ticket and discipline autonomous vehicles when they violate traffic laws.

    Waymo declined to comment on the proposed legislation in a written statement to the Guardian but said that “trust and the safety of the communities we serve is our highest priority”.

    “We send our deepest sympathies to the cat’s owner and the community who knew and loved him, and we have made a donation to a local animal rights organization in his honor,” the statement said.

    As politicians push for change, some have taken upon themselves to honor KitKat in distinctly Silicon Valley-style ways. Zeidan has released a memecoin honoring KitKat’s legacy, and also said that he was disappointed to see others launch their own imitation tokens in an attempt to profit off KitKat’s death.

    Zeidan hopes to use proceeds to support local veterinarians and animal welfare organizations. He was inspired to do so after the veterinarian that attempted to save KitKat’s life dropped the cost of the entire medical bill.

    “We wanted to honor the cat,” Zeidan said. “We want to support shelters, we want to support local animal organizations that help animals.”


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  • Fortnite maker and Google settle five-year legal fight over Android app store | Technology

    Fortnite maker and Google settle five-year legal fight over Android app store | Technology

    Fortnite maker Epic Games has reached a “comprehensive settlement” with Google that could end its five-year legal crusade targeting Google’s Play Store for Android apps, both companies revealed in a joint legal filing.

    Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called the settlement an “awesome proposal” in a social media post.

    Google and Epic Games said the settlement “would allow the parties to put their disputes aside while making Android a more vibrant and competitive platform for users and developers,” according to the document, filed in a San Francisco federal court Tuesday.

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    Epic, which makes the hit online game Fortnite, won a victory over Google in the summer when a federal appeals court upheld a jury verdict condemning the Android app store as an illegal monopoly. The unanimous ruling cleared the way for a federal judge to enforce a potentially disruptive shake-up that’s designed to give consumers more choices.

    The specific terms of the settlement agreement remain under seal and must be approved by US district judge James Donato, but the two companies broadly outlined some of their agreements in their joint filing. A hearing is set for Thursday.

    They said the settlement closely follows Donato’s October 2024 ruling ordering Google to tear down the digital walls shielding its Android app store from competition. That included a provision that will require its app store to distribute rival third-party app stores so consumers can download them to their phones, if they so desire.

    Google had hoped to void those changes with an appeal, but the ruling issued in July by the ninth circuit court of appeals delivered a legal blow for the tech company, which has been waylaid in three separate antitrust trials affecting different pillars of its internet empire.

    Epic Games filed lawsuits targeting Google’s Play Store as well as Apple’s iPhone App Store in 2020 in an attempt to bypass exclusive payment processing systems that charged 15% to 30% commissions on in-app transactions. The settlement agreement proposed Tuesday calls for Google to limit those payments to between 9% and 20%, depending on the transaction.

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  • Linklaters advises IFM on the acquisition of leading data centre operator Green

    Linklaters advises IFM on the acquisition of leading data centre operator Green

    Linklaters market-leading Private Capital and Digital Infrastructure team has advised a fund managed by IFM Investors, on the successful acquisition of Green Group AG and its subsidiaries (Green) from InfraVia. 

    Green is a Swiss-based digital infrastructure platform operating hyperscale and enterprise data centres. It is a market leader in Switzerland’s fast-growing data centre market, benefiting from long-term contracts with leading global cloud service providers, as well as enterprise customers. 

    The cross-practice Linklaters team was led by Corporate Partners Michael Honan and Nicole Meyer, Energy & Infrastructure Partner Ross Schloeffel and TMT Partner Rich Jones. 

    The transaction was signed in July 2025 and completed on 30 October 2025.

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  • Bombardier Global 8000, World’s Fastest Business Jet, Awarded Transport Canada Type Certification

    Bombardier Global 8000, World’s Fastest Business Jet, Awarded Transport Canada Type Certification

    • The Global 8000(1) sets industry benchmark by exceeding original cabin altitude target, confirmed at 2,691 ft. at 41,000 ft., making it the lowest in civilian aircraft in production
    • The Global 8000, the fastest civilian aircraft since the Concorde, confirms industry-leading top speed of Mach 0.95 and class-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles (NM)
    • Program on track for entry into service in 2025

    Bombardier today announced that the Global 8000(1), the world’s fastest business aircraft, has been awarded Transport Canada Type Certification, paving the way for entry-into-service this year. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification will follow, aligned with delivery requirements.

    This accomplishment marks the latest in a series of monumental achievements for Bombardier’s Global 8000  business jet, which went supersonic in testing, completed its inaugural first production flight in May and recently announced a new top speed of Mach 0.95. The aircraft has also completed its type certification with a new industry benchmark for cabin altitude – 2,691 ft. at 41,000 ft., the best of any business aircraft in production.

    “Bombardier has worked rigorously and collaboratively with Transport Canada toward certification for the Global 8000. This marks a pivotal milestone for Bombardier, our customers and the entire business aviation industry – solidifying the Global 8000’s position as the unrivaled leader setting a new standard,” said Stephen McCullough, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Product Development, Bombardier. “This milestone is a powerful testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our engineering, test and production teams. It showcases their deep expertise and unwavering commitment – qualities that are embedded in Bombardier’s DNA and are the heartbeat that drives everything we do for our valued clients.”

    With the lowest cabin altitude in business aviation at 2,691 ft., customers will feel like they are standing atop the Burj Khalifa as they cruise at 41,000 feet. This significantly reduced cabin altitude minimizes the physiological stress typically associated with high-altitude travel, helping passengers arrive feeling refreshed, alert, and ready to perform.  When paired with Bombardier’s Pũr Air system (featuring HEPA filtration and VOC removal) and the Soleil circadian lighting system, the aircraft creates an environment that actively combats jet lag and enhances overall wellness. Combined with its luxurious interior, signature smooth ride and unparalleled performance capabilities, the Global 8000 is the clear choice for discerning owners and operators who prioritize speed, comfort, convenience and productivity. 

    Building on its comfort and industry-defining cabin altitude, the Global 8000 also leads in performance. On top of an industry-defining top speed of Mach 0.95, the Bombardier Global 8000 will also be able to fly customers farther, faster than any competing four-zone business jet in the industry.

    The Global 8000 is also the only four-zone business jet to offer a range of 8,000 NM, enabling nonstop travel between more city pairs than ever before. In addition to its long-range capabilities, the aircraft remains remarkably agile, with takeoff and landing performance comparable to that of a light jet. Its advanced wing design featuring unique leading-edge slats enable customers to master 30% more airports than its closest rival.

    Inside, the Global 8000 aircraft sets an extremely high bar in terms of luxury and comfort. This trailblazing business jet will offer exceptional comfort, featuring four true living spaces and a separate crew rest area. The discerning business jet will also feature the longest seated length size in its class along with the industry’s healthiest cabin and the lowest cabin altitude, designed to maximize passenger comfort and productivity throughout their travels.

    About Bombardier

    At Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s best-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and businesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding standards, but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs.

    For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it.

    Bombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,100 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication Design.     

    For Information

    For corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s Sustainability report, as well as the company’s initiative to cover all its flight operations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the Book-and-Claim system visit
    bombardier.com.

    Learn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service network at bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier.

    Media Contacts

    General media contact webform

    Matthew Nicholls
    +1-514-243-8214
    Matthew.Nicholls@aero.bombardier.com

    (1) The Global 8000 aircraft received Transport Canada Type Certification on November 5, 2025; certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and from the European Aviation Safety Agency is pending. All specification and data are subject to certain operating rules, assumptions and other conditions. It is expected to enter into service in 2025. Please also see the forward-looking statements disclaimer at the end of this press release.

    Bombardier, Global, Global 8000, Soleil and Pũr Air are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries

    Forward-looking statements
    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require the Corporation to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the “Forward-Looking Statements” disclaimer contained in Bombardier Inc.’s most recently published financial report for additional details.

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  • Call for interest: Global Carbon Emissions Accounting Experts – ICC

    Call for interest: Global Carbon Emissions Accounting Experts – ICC

    The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Carbon Measures – a global coalition of leading businesses committed to advancing a ledger-based carbon accounting framework – are seeking a select group of top experts to join a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) on Carbon Accounting.

    The experts are solicited from a range of perspectives and geographies from academia, financial accounting, industry and civil society. Together, the expert panel will define the principles, scope and applications of a carbon emissions accounting system modelled on financial accounting principles.

    The system would provide accurate, transparent, verifiable, and timely company-level and product-level data, ensuring every tonne of carbon emissions is counted only once and attributed correctly at each step of the value chain.

    The panel will:

    • Inventory existing approaches for carbon emissions accounting, along with strengths, challenges and opportunities to generate alignment;
    • Develop guiding principles for a carbon emissions accounting framework that builds on positive attributes of existing carbon emissions accounting approaches, addresses the challenges to current practices and enables global alignment; guiding principles will also consider learnings from chemistry, financial accounting practices and product-level standard-setting successes;
    • Apply the principles to develop proposals to underpin adoption by standard-setters and policymakers;
    • Develop detailed product-level implementation roadmaps to foster real-world adoption;
    • Recommend ways to improve data quality, methods, and governance for global alignment and build consensus among stakeholders;
    • Determine a roadmap for implementation, including proposed standard-setters for adoption and the conditions that need to be in place to support successful adoption at scale, such as implementing organisations, attestation standards, enforcement requirements, education and oversight; and
    • Publish and endorse reports and peer-reviewed publications.

    For experts

    The Technical Expert Panel will comprise up to 20 highly qualified representatives with expertise in carbon emissions accounting, business governance, chemistry and geosciences, financial accounting and assurance, policy design and development or related work.

    Panellists will be selected by the Secretariat, in consultation with the Co-Chairs of the TEP (“TEP Co-Chairs”), with nominations and recommendations accepted from universities, private sector entities, governments, foundations, civil society organizations and individuals. Selection will prioritise subject matter expertise and will aim for geographic diversity whenever possible.

    Panellists will represent themselves in an individual capacity, and this designation will follow the expert if/when associated institution(s) or employer(s) change.

    At the outset, experts will be asked to make a two-year-long commitment to attending 1-2 monthly calls and undertaking 6-10 hours of independent document review per month. Public engagements may be offered to panellists as appropriate. These expectations may vary based on the initiative’s progress, but active and consistent participation will be expected from all panellists.

    To nominate an expert to the panel, send a CV and covering note to climateopportunity@iccwbo.org. Nominations will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 9 January 2026.

    Once reviewed, promising candidates will be invited to have a video call with the host organisations to discuss personal qualifications and goals in more detail.

    For Advisory Group members

    The panellists’ work will be supported by an Advisory Group of 25 members, comprising representatives of the private sector and non-profit organisations. Advisory Group members – represented by their CFOs, CSOs or other C-suite leaders, as appropriate – will be selected based on their willingness to act as ambassadors for the initiative, as well as progress the panel’s work by providing in-kind and/or financial support.

    The Advisory Group will meet no less than four times a year, with calls with individual entities scheduled on an as-needed basis.

    Organisations interested in joining the Advisory Group are welcome to share their motivations, related work and a brief overview of expected contributions.

    Initial suggestions may include:

    • Administrative secondments
    • Research and knowledge partnerships
    • Fundraising and/or direct donations
    • External communications support

    To submit an expression of interest for the Advisory Group, send a covering note to climateopportunity@iccwbo.org. Nominations will be reviewed on a rolling basis with an aim to finalise the Group’s composition in May 2026.

    Further details

    The panel will be co-chaired by Amy Brachio, CEO of Carbon Measures, and Karthik Ramanna, Professor of Business and Public Policy at the University of Oxford. S&P Global Insights will serve as the panel’s knowledge partner, providing research, data acquisition, expert analysis and independent thinking. The panel is expected to be fully formed in early 2026.

    “This panel will bring together experts from around the world—representing the financial accounting, chemical engineering, business, and academic communities—to develop the principles and implementation pathways to make a global carbon accounting framework a reality,” said Amy Brachio, CEO of Carbon Measures.


    2025 is a critical year for the Paris Agreement. Ten years on, we need to rethink how we frame the challenge. And seeing challenges differently is what business and we are all about.

    ICC is committed to securing what businesses need at the upcoming climate negotiations, COP30, in Belém, Brazil. Learn more about our Opportunity of a Lifetime climate campaign and how to get involved.

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  • Persol Embraces a More Circular Future

    Persol has taken a meaningful step forward in helping strengthen its commitment to ‘Eyes on Circularity’, recently launching repair and care initiatives that extend the life of its products while honoring its legacy of timeless design. 

    Persol has now launched Care Week, putting craftsmanship at the heart of the consumer experience and Care Tips to raise awareness about care for their eyewear.

    From Nov. 3-9, a Care Week event is being held for the first time at Persol’s Brera boutique in Milan, inviting consumers to meet an artisan in-store and restore their beloved Persol eyewear. Dedicated services, such as frame polishing, fit & adjustments, and screw and nose pad replacement, offered a tangible way to give new life to iconic pieces — reflecting Persol’s commitment to impeccable quality and enduring appeal.  

    Through Care Tips, visitors to www.persol.com can now discover simple yet essential guidelines on how to protect, clean, maintain and wear their eyewear that preserve the beauty of the frames over time.  

     

     

    Collaborative Circularity in Action

     

    Persol’s sustainability journey mirrors other initiatives underway across EssilorLuxottica, underscoring a strong collaboration between its Operations and Retail teams.  

     

    Ray-Ban now offers permanent renewal services in one store in the US and 12 stores across EMEA. This initiative engages consumers with the opportunity to renew their sunglasses and eyeglasses by entrusting them to expert staff directly at points of sale, promoting the concept of circularity and extending the product life cycle.

     

     

    Eyes on Circularity, a Key Pillar of the EssilorLuxottica Sustainability Program

      

    As part of its ‘Eyes on the Planet’ sustainability program, the ‘Eyes on Circularity’ pillar reflects  EssilorLuxottica’s dedication to circularity goals along its value chain, leveraging sustainable innovation expertise across materials, processes, products and services.  

     

    In recent years, the Group has expanded its Direct-to-Consumer initiatives, positioning its retail operations as hubs for circularity by offering consumers specific services to extend product life or give products a second life. 

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